COVER STORY: THE HOLLAND COMPANIES - THE FACTORY AT 46 WAREHAM
different compared to typical piles," Holland says. "These woodpiles
are going to be embedded into the marine clay 30 feet, and will be
used as our foundation. We have about 20 more woodpiles to go."
The project has been going well Holland says, noting that the
company's subcontractors have been "great." He adds that The
Holland Companies has longstanding relationships with many of its
subcontractors, having worked with them on multiple jobs.
"Our long-term subcontractor relationships help maintain quality
control," he says. "The majority of the projects we build downtown
are higher-end residential, so we need to hit a certain quality level.
The only way to do that is by setting a standard and carrying that
with us from project to project."
To maintain safety, a company employee is always on-site to check
for issues and ensure everyone wears safety gear. "He's the guy that
keeps track of the site from five in the morning until it shuts down at
the end of the day," Holland says.
The safety overseer also ensures that everyone who is on-site
should be there. "On construction sites, people will start wandering
off the street onto your jobsite if there is no signage stipulating
otherwise," Holland explains. "They may or may not know that they
The Factory at 46 Wareham,
» With
The Holland Companies aims to
revitalize the area.
could get into some type of trouble, so he certainly keeps an eye out
for the public."
Ultimately, The Holland Companies' goal for the project is to help
revitalize the area. "This street was once described as 'the street that
time forgot,'" Holland notes. "There are many boarded up buildings
around here, and it's on the fringe of downtown Boston, which has
some very beautiful buildings."
The Holland Companies is working to change the street not only
with its project, but also with its surrounding features.
"We've worked with the city to hire an engineering firm that has
put plans together for new curbs, drainage, water and sewer, lighting
and sidewalks, and more," Holland says. "The engineering work of
that is nearly complete. So when this project is complete, if it helps
revitalize Wareham Street, I think we'll have been successful."
Transforming SoWA
The company is also working on another project, 477 Harrison Ave
that is located near the Factory at 46 Wareham. According to Holland,
this project will also help revitalize a section of the city called South
of Washington Street, or SoWa.
SoWa is a historically dilapidated area with many old, vacant
industrial buildings. 477 Harrison Ave is no different, Holland notes.
In 1910, the building housed the Jordan Marsh and Company's
(now known as Macy's) horse stables, taking care of the many horses
utilized in carrying products to and from its stores.
With the invention of the automobile, the horse stable was no
Award-Winning
The Holland Companies is proud that one of its latest projects,
Four51 Marlborough, was one of 10 projects recently recognized
by the Boston Preservation Alliance with its 2017 Preservation
Achievement Awards.
"We just completed this project, which is located in Back Bay,
and are very excited," CEO John Holland says. "We built it and
Hacin & Associates won the award for their design."
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CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017